We were turned away during the dinner rush Balboa Cafe so we shot down the street to the hot sauce bottle-lined dining room of Joe’s Taco Lounge.

Years have past since our last visit but we knew not to expect traditional taco with offal options. The tacos are larger than truck style rounds and are single bagged in corn tortillas.

The grilled fish tacos ($6.95):

... had nice chunks of snapper with shredded cabbage, cilantro, onions and salsa and the carne asada ($6.25):

... had beef bits with salsa, cilantro and onions but both were Americanized enough not to hit our taco spot (and to be fair, these aren’t aimed towards the vehicular vittles crowd.) The truth of the matter is that we are more at home at the garbage dump than the lounge, but there appeared to be a regular crowd that enjoy the lounge experience.

Joe’s Taco Lounge
382 Miller Ave.
Mill Valley, CA
415.383.8164

Mark your Calendar

It’s time to place Thanksgiving orders for smoked, cider brined hams, Hudson Ranch and Good Shepherd Ranch Heritage Turkeys at Fatted Calf Charcuterie. If you get these particular proteins, the only part of your culinary efforts that will be “phoned in” is your preorder to 707.256.3684.

Turkey decisions must be made by November 2nd and other meaty mullings by November 14th. You can arrange for pick up at the San Francisco Ferry Building and Berkeley Farmers Markets or at the Fatted Calf shop in Napa.

This thinly sliced, smoky, tender-loin can be ordered with rice or cold vermicelli, but Chubby chose the chewy, garlic infused noodles with a heap of cold broccoli.

My chicken cabbage salad ($7.00):

... was a haystack of shredded 5 spice chicken over cabbage, onion, cukes, chopped mint with peanuts and fried shallots. Although fine, I would probably go with one of the meat and rice combos next time.

Our dumpling appetizers ($6.00):

... arrived after our mains (but we aren’t hung up about receiving shuffled food at casual venues). These steamed, dough-sheathed, pork, celery and cabbage balls maintained their appetizing status even relegated to the dessert position of the meal.

Perilla may be named after a mint, but you don’t have to spend one with all the dishes (without add ons) priced under a tenner. Next time we’ll splurge and top our lunch order with a fried egg for an extra $1.50.

Dum Dums are for suckers. If you want to ween the hollow out of your dessert dispensing duty, get on the stick and pick a lick with kick.

These translucent, tongue turntables are not targeted at tots, but if you are old enough to be absinthe minded, or want to porkcure a sappy sweet for grown gobblin, check out the bacon/maple, absinthe and new wasabi-ginger lollyphile offerings - and remember, no matter what you choose to give out as your Halloween treat, make sure it’s real candy. You may as well punch kids in the face for ringing your doorbell if you give out those ridiculous mini-boxes of raisins - it’s passive aggressive behavior when you appear to subscribe to a generous convention while bending it into a personal, preachy platform.

These lollys are not for the rank and phile, aggressive licorice (with the alcohol boiled off), horseradish and sweet swine are not for everyone, but if you want to blow your usual pop stand, this is the way to do it... and they are better than a punch in the face.

Out the Door reopened a few months ago (after diverting the water that was coming out the ceiling.) They were trend setters in liquifying their real estate before the market was flooded.

We elected to do some pork spending of our own by appropriating a Saigon roast pork sandwich ($8.50):

... and a grilled 5-spice chicken sandwich ($8.50):

Both of these bahn mi inspired rolls were filled with cukes, cilantro, shredded carrots but had the jalapenos on the side for those who can’t stand the heat.

Although our lunch was very good, the pork was just a touch sweeter than I prefer and I have a sentimental attachment to the less fancy versions that are available in the Tenderloin which have a soft, crisp crusted roll. I did enjoy the higher quality ingredients in OTD’s versions, but we will probably go with their green papaya salad and vermicelli bowls next visit.

Out the Door
Westfield Centre
865 Market St. #80
San Francisco, CA
415.541.9913

Sugar Rush 2008 is a dessert tasting fundraiser for Spark, a Bay Area organization which aids youth in developing ties to their communities through apprenticeships.

A16, Boulevard, Delfina and Michael Mina are among the list of sponsors for this stimulating soiree.

Cowgirl Creamery cheese, Kara’s cupcakes and some excellent chocolates will expand possibilities for youth and waistbands in an efficient combination of nurturing your inner child and one on the outside too.